100 families in F. Ramos Extension lose their homes to demolition

Tension rose as houses encroaching on  F. Ramos Ext. were  torn down  by the Cebu city government yesterday.

The demolition went ahead despite pleas from  residents of Maria Cristina Panaghiusa Organization,   barangay officials and Councilor Alvin Dizon.

“We already gave them enough time since April to start transferring. We are implementing this demolition order to restore the road lot here,” said team head Raquel Arce of the Prevention  Restoration Order Beauitifcaiton Enhancement (Probe).

F. Ramos Extension road, located at the back of  Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, came to a dead end where the houses stood.

After the illegal structures were removed, the road continues to the Baseline area.

Arce said  drug paraphernalia was confiscated from the shanties.

She said the city issued the first demolition notice  last April 8. Another  notice was served on April 20 and a third    with a 72-hour warning on May 6.

A relocation site  in Pit-os, Talamban is provided  but some resident complainted that it lacked electricity and water supply.

Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon said more time should have been given for the residents.

“They were only able to receive  P10,000 financial assistance from a foundation, not from the city government, yesterday (Thursday).

They should be given more time to start buying materials and start building their houses,” Guanzon said.

He said almost a hundred families were displaced.

He said some  residents plan to file a complaint against city officials before the Ombudsman Visayas for the demolition.

The Cebu City Council has scheduled an executive session  on June 3 to discuss the concerns of  residents whose homes were demolished.